PARKING PATROL
RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Honolulu police were in force taping off areas yesterday where people park illegally for UH football games at Aloha Stadium. Here, at the off-ramp by Aiea Elementary School, several police cars were parked, officers were patrolling and grassy areas were taped off.
Enrollment dips a bit in isle public schools
Hawaii's public school enrollment has dropped slightly this school year, officials said Friday.There are 182,798 students enrolled in the 2002-03 school year, down 831 students, or 0.45 percent from last year.
Special education enrollment grew by 2.4 percent or 488 students to 20,808 this year. That's nearly double the 11,356 special education students enrolled 10 years ago.
The enrollment at the 41 schools in the Leeward Oahu District grew by 1.53 percent to 38,250, which is 578 more than last year. All other districts declined in enrollment.
The largest public school in the state is Farrington High School in Honolulu with 2,421 students. The smallest is Kanae Elementary, which doubled its enrollment this year to six students.
Hawaii ranks 44th on list of smartest states
Hawaii is near the bottom of the nation's smartest states, based on public school education, according to a new ranking of states by Morgan Quitno Press, a research and publishing company based in Kansas.Hawaii was 44th out of the 50 states based on an evaluation of 21 education-related factors such as per-pupil spending, average teacher salaries, proficiency in math and reading, graduation rates, class size and school safety. Connecticut scored highest and was named the smartest state. New Mexico scored lowest.
Morgan Quitno Press specializes in selling reference books and monthly reports that compare states and cities in several different subject areas.
Restaurant fund-raiser to combat child abuse
Malama Na Keiki Foundation is holding a fund-raiser through Oct. 31 to benefit its newly established Patrick Yim Keiki Kokua Fund.The fund provides grants to Hawaii child abuse programs for emergency services and other needs.
For a minimum contribution of $50, donors choose a gift certificate from one of four restaurants -- Roy's Restaurant in Hawaii Kai, L'Uraku on Kapiolani Boulevard near Ala Moana Center, Sansei in Restaurant Row and Merriman's in Waimea on the Big Island. They will also receive gift certificates from Blockbuster Video and Starbucks.
Retired Judge Patrick K.S.L. Yim helped establish the foundation in 1998 to assist child abuse and neglect prevention programs.
For more information or to contribute to the fund, call 585-0315.
Police test applications due by this Tuesday
People wishing to take the next test to become a Honolulu police officer need to apply by Tuesday. The test is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 16. Applications and information are available at all police stations on Oahu, Satellite City Halls, the city Department of Human Services and on the Honolulu Police Department Web site at www.honolulupd.org.
Outdoor Circle urges political sign restraint
The Outdoor Circle said the posting of political signs was out of control this year.The organization is asking candidates who aren't in the general election to remove their signs to help keep Hawaii "clean, green and beautiful."
The organization has supported a billboard-free Hawaii for more than 90 years.
|
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Managing Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at fbridgewater@starbulletin.com. Corrections and clarifications
Police, Fire, Courts
By Star-Bulletin staffHonolulu Police Department Crimestoppers
HONOLULU
Brush fires scorch land in Kalihi, Kahuku
Firefighters responded to two brush fires in Kahuku and Kalihi yesterday.Four to five acres of brush burned behind Kahuku Hospital on Pualalea Street around 11:02 a.m., said Fire Capt. Kenison Tejada. The fire was under control about two hours later, and no homes were threatened.
Another brush fire was reported at 3:30 p.m. mauka of Kalihi Elementary School, 2471 Kula Kolea Drive. Ten to 15 acres of brush burned and attempts to douse the blaze with helicopter-born water buckets failed.
Because of the rough terrain, firefighters had a difficult time reaching the fire and active firefighting was stopped at 6:30 p.m. Several firefighters were posted to watch the fire overnight, in case of a flare-up. Firefighters were expected to return to the site this morning.
3 men allegedly steal boy's car at knifepoint
Police are looking for three men who allegedly stole a car at knifepoint in Kalihi yesterday morning.The robbery occurred at about 12:40 a.m. on the top level of the Kamehameha Shopping Center. Police said one of the suspects brandished two pocket knives and demanded that a juvenile hand over his car keys. Police said the suspects drove off in the victim's white Chevrolet Blazer.
WAIKIKI
4 people hurt after catamarans collide
At least four people were slightly injured when two catamarans collided yesterday evening off Waikiki Beach.The catamaran Hoku was heading to shore and the catamaran Kepoikai was outbound when they crashed, said Fire Department Capt. Kenison Tejada.
Firefighters responding to the accident assisted with treatment of four people from the boats and others refused treatment, Tejada said.
Straub Hospital treated and released two women involved in the collision, Japanese tourists ages 61 and 28, a spokeswoman said.
